Kaziranga Travel Guide

Kaziranga Info

State: Assam

Famous for/as: Jungle

Altitude: 328 m

Kaziranga National Park, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, is located in the Golaghat and Nagaon districts in the state of Assam. It was declared a Reserve Forest in 1905. The park consists of an area of 429.93 sq km with a buffer area of 429.40 sq km.

During the British reign, Lady Curzon on a safari expressed concern at the prevalence of hunting in the park. In 1926, hunting was banned in Kaziranga and in 1974 it was declared a National Park. Kaziranga is also famous for the Important Bird Area by Birdlife International for conservation of avifaunal species. Some of the bird species which can be spotted here are herons, storks, pelicans, imperial eagles, etc.

The park hosts about two-thirds of the world's Great One-horned Rhinoceroses and also holds the record for protecting the highest density of tigers in the world. The park was declared a Tiger Reserve in 2006. Kaziranga is a home to large breeding population of elephants, wild water buffalo and swamp deer. The location of the park makes it diverse as it is lined by the Eastern Himalaya biodiversity hotspot.

Kaziranga has large bioreserves of tall elephant grass, marshland and dense tropical moist broad leaf forests. The park celebrated its centennial in 2005 after its establishment in 1905 as a Reserve Forest. The park is maintained by the Assam Forest Department and Wildlife Trust of India along with the International Fund for Animal Welfare who have set up rehabilitation centres for distressed animals. Every year, an Elephant Festival is organised at the park to create awareness about the protection and conservation of Asiatic elephants.

Kaziranga National Park can be visited from November to April. Elephant safaris and Kaziranga Wildlife Tours can be availed at the park. Kaziranga can be reached by bus from Guwahati and Tezpur. The nearest airport is at Tezpur (60 km) which has direct flights to Kolkata. The nearest railhead is at Guwahati.

During the summer vacations, I visited kaziranga national park with couple of my friends. It was surprisingly the best place to have fun with friends among the beautiful natural forest. We also took a ride in the sanctuary to see the world famous one horned rhino, which is found only here in the whole world among some other wild animals too. Many elephants, deers, birds etc. were loitering just beside us with our jeep travelling right from the middle of the jungle. It feels great to be among them for some hours and then we returned to our resort which serves amazing food with great comfort.

If you plan to visit Kaziranga, best time to visit is mid of November. Rhinos of Kaziranga National Park are plenty in number. Other than Rhinos you can witness the beauty of wild buffalos & wild elephants. To get most out of your visit you should take the element ride at dawn. This is the time when wild life becomes most active.

Its one of the best National Parks and its famous for one horned rhinos. You can find elephants, tigers ( luck basis ), buffaloes, owl, cap langoor, hillock gibbon, swamp deer, hog dear, monitor lizard, hornbill, pelican, eagles, fox and few species of Birds as well. Elephant Safari is the best way to see the park. The best time to visit is during the months of March-April. Tip: - Please try not make any noise in the jungle as the animals get afraid and runaway. Excitement is natural but should be without any noise/sound to relish the beauty of nature.

After having thought of for many years without any success, our NE trip happened in a jiffy. I think God has his own way (and time) of fulfilling our wishes (legitimate and reasonable. All we humans can do is have faith.

Kaziranga National Park, famous for the "Great One-horned Rhinos" is located in Golaghat and Nagaon district of Assam. It was a must visit for us once we were in Guwahati (Digaru AF Station). The 3 hr (approx) picturesque drive will forever be remembered and cherished. The road, a shining black serpent, is lined on both sides by small villages, well organized and clean and beautifully maintained. Every house seems to have a chai baghan in the backyard.

We stayed overnight at Bora's home-stay, a decently clean house with basic facilities and excellent home cooked food. Food was served in the small dinning area in the back yard, amidst variety of palm trees, bamboo and tamul (betel nut) trees. Along with the normal daal-chawal-sabzi, we also got to taste some local cuisine which included pickled elephant apple (something we came to know of and saw for the first time) all cooked by Mrs. Bora, the owner's wife. Babul (the owner) arranged for all our safaris.

After lunch we headed for our evening jeep safari to Kohora (Central) range. The starting point was a 2 hr drive from our homestay. The road, excellent and lined up on both sides by tea gardens (they can do with lesser numbers of speed breakers though). The safari itself was an experience of a lifetime. Dense, lush green jungles filled with beautiful melodies of a variety of birds, some we were lucky to see, some we didn't. Our journey was inaugurated by the mighty tuskers, enjoying an afternoon bath by the lakeside. The rest was history... Rhinos, deer, wild boar, wild buffaloes, different species of storks, pelicans, eagles, vultures, owl, jungle fowl all greeted us. It get's better and better through the journey.

In the evening, we were lucky to see, up and close, all these animals and birds heading back home just as we did too. Watching the pelicans perched high up on the trees, against the setting sun was a mesmerizing and memorable experience. In that moment of brilliance I sat still marvelling the beauty of nature and thanking God for this life, so beautiful.

The next morning we went for the elephant safari to Bogoi (Western) range. Through the early morning (0503 hrs) mist, Lakhimala, our elephant took us on a hour long safari through the dense foliage. A real close encounter with the beautiful (skirt wearing) rhinos left us etching for more and more. Deer, boars and wild buffaloes also joined in setting a perfect example of peace and harmony in this part of the country (atleast among animals).

A brief halt alongside the mighty and tranquil Brahmaputra filled us with a hope to find some pug-marks but better luck next time. As we embarked upon our further journey towards Furkating to catch a train for Dimapur before heading for Kohima. We realized there was no need to give as many breaks. A local bus took us directly from Kaziranga to Dimapur and saved us not only a few hours but also the effort and irony of bus-train-taxi hopping. It was time to bid adieus to the wild Kaziranga and explore the mystical land of Nagas...

A week ago I was totally worked thrilled to have reached the wilderness at Kaziranga....according to our itinerary we had 2 nights in Kaziranga. From Guwahati to Kaziranga is a 4-5 hrs drive. There are several dhabas on the highway which offer decent food. Rhinos are totally abundant in Kaziranga; we saw a couple taking supper as we drove into the heritage site. The 1st night at Nature Hunt Eco Camp was totally amazing. The camp had tents and cottages located in a tea garden. Though the property is not big, its cute with its well maintained tents and amazing (and I mean it) food. At night you can see several fireflies like stars twinkling around the tea garden (I'll remember this one for years to come)!

A must-do at Kaziranga is the jungle safaris. The earlier the better - we took a 6:30 am elephant safari at the Bogoi (Western) range. Its was an hour tour where we got to see rhinos (and this time from real close), deers, boars and wild buffaloes. Apart from having a look at the animals, if you are really interested in enjoying the landscape of Kaziranga and have a zoom lens or binoculars, I would suggest a jeep safari. Its over 2 hrs drive where you get to see the beauty that lies in the wilderness of Kaziranga. We had taken the 3:00 pm (last entry since the park is to be vacated before sunset) jeep safari in the Kohora (central) range. Of all the animals (namely rhinos, elephants, deers, eagles, pelicans and other birds of unknown name and character) we got to see, en route, I believe the most memorable was watching the sunset through the trees in the horizon! This is the reason why I would suggest a "3 pm" safari; also I believe the visibility of animals also increase since many return to their nest/home in the evening time - for instance we were detained by a herd of wild elephants crossing the road. In a nutshell, a truly beautiful location...a treat for the nature lovers... Kaziranga totally Rocks!!!

The destination is really exotic and its lusty full wet lands make you fresh totally. The central range Kohora and Western range Bagori are most viewed by tourists. The local food and market is also very fine, not so expensive or costly. All are good materials. The golf, jeep safari, elephant safari and mainly photography kept us busy. Carry a good quality with minimum 10x zoom camera with you and some warm clothes.

Unlike all the other jungle safaris, you don't necessarily need to visit this one in any particular season, baarring rains it is always fine to be here, Sept to Feb being best. It is one of the major concentration parks for Indian Rhinoceros. If you want to see them in all sizes, then this is the place to be.

Must Visit places: Ofcourse the jungle safari for the rhinoceros is the prime reason to be here. Also nearby at about 2 kms from the park is the entire village erected by the Assam government to imulate the lifestyle and the architecture of local tribes in Assam. This was built to use for tourist accomodation, but the anti social forces in the area,seem to not like the idea. The places hence wears a deserted look, but is neverthless available for people to look around. It closes down at 6.30pm or so.

Local shopping : Shopping is mainly around momentos of Rhinos , wooden carved pieces , and cane stuff, also a few ivory pieces.

Activities : The safaris. The elephant safari starts at about 6 in the morning. You are advised to reach the ticketting early at 5.00 -5.3-0 am to ensure your place on the first ride, which means more rhinos and more beautiful misty surroundings. Per adult the charges were about 550/- There are other jeep safaris that take you deeper into the forests, we missed the last one in the previous evening so couldnt get to that. You are sure to enjoy the elephant safari, it gets you super close to the rhinos.

Scenic beauty with range of wild life makes the trip worth. Elephant safari, jeep ride, the quiet night life are just amazing.

Food, sight-seeing and shopping: You have nothing but the wild life to see. Shopping is decent related to wild life stuff and not more than that.

Activities & things to do: Elephant Safari in the Kaziranga : The Best part I enjoyed with my wife. The elephant takes you right in the middle of the jungle. It makes you wonder what it must felt to sit on an elephant 100-200yrs ago for a king when he went hunting. A must do in Kaziranga.Jeep Safari : This is also a good thing to go on dedicated tracks in the jungle.

Travel tips, How to reach, travel warnings etc: Closed for most part of the year due to heavy rains. Make sure to take a powerful Binoculars and a powerful camera to spot wild life. Wear nature friendly clothes. Go there to enjoy the sunrise and the sunset. The best timings you see the animals wake up and go to sleep. Be sure of the timings of the sunrise and sunset cause it is in the east part of india.

If anyone loves forest, it cannot be better than KAZIRANGA The NILGIRI hills forming the backdrop, the raw beauty of forest with bison, one horned rhino, elephant families and innumerable deers I LOVE KAZIRANGA

Food, sight-seeing and shopping: Kaziranga itself is a paradise... just enjoy the forest, the nature, the inhabitants of that nature and the smell of that untouched trees and plants... you can actually relate yourself being a part of nature far away from the maddening crowds of metros

Activities & things to do: Zone wise jungle safaris are conducted in early mornings and afternoons in elephant backs and jeeps Do not miss any one, or you will left repenting the whole life. the memories of early morning safari on elephant back and late afternoon safari in jeep is something you will take back home.

Travel tips, How to reach, travel warnings etc: Carry good mosquito repellant and check in a hotel after checking about their service and staffs.

Kaziranga is a good destination. Public transport are few, you have to hire your vehicle from Guwahati. Roads are good

Food, sight-seeing and shopping: Few hotels are there. We stayed at Aryana which is owned by Govt of Assam and close to the forest

Activities & things to do: Elephant safari, and jeep safari can be taken for jungle tour.If possible go to the Dolphin area on Brambhaputra river.

Travel tips, How to reach, travel warnings etc: Lot of rush for elephant safari utter chaos regarding allotment during rush season. No proper allotment procedure followed. Further Kaziranga remains open from Nov to April Sighting tiger is practically impossible but you can enjoy the beauty of the jungle which is a huge area.

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